Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The Threat of a Storm Surge should be Monitored as you track a Hurricane

What is a Hurricane Storm Surge?

Storm Surge is a phenomenon that occurs most often when a
tropical cyclone, either a tropical storm or a hurricane pushes water
onshore. The winds associated with these types of storms are remarkably
fast and as they rush across the surface of the water they push the
water forward causing it to rise above normal sea level. Also the center
of these circular storms, the eye, is a low pressure area compared to
the surrounding storm and this causes a second rise in sea lea called a
pressure surge.

This creates a front of waves and water that rush
towards the shore and can flood and destroy coastal areas. The extent to
which your area is going to be in danger depends on the strength of the
storm and the topography of the ocean floor around your coastline.

The
damage that a hurricane can inflict comes not only from the ferociously
high winds but also from flooding and waves caused by these storm
surges. Much of the reason that Hurricane Katrina was a deadly and
caused as much damage as it did was because of massive flooding. In some
coastal cities nearly 80% of the metropolitan areas were completely
flooded. In New Orleans waves 15 feet above normal rushed over seawalls
to flood the city. In the deadliest and most costly hurricanes in United
States history the storm surge associated with the storm is how most
lives are lost and the most damage caused.

The threat of a storm
surge should be monitored as you track a hurricane in your area. If you
are in an area that is considered close to sea level you should monitor
your evacuation status. If you are ordered to evacuate proceed
immediately to your local hurricane shelter. The storm surge can be just
as deadly as the high winds brought on by the hurricanes.